Flexibility and the Integration of Commodity and Environmental Policies

Environmental and health risk concerns associated with the use of agricultural chemicals in the United States are increasing. In response, public policies designed to alter farming practices and the use of agricultural chemicals are being proposed and implemented. In addition, agricultural price stabilization and income support policies are being reviewed for environmental implications. This paper provides a farm-level analysis of the interrelationships between the current U.S. commodity program for corn and selected policies for controlling the use of corn rootworm insecticides. The farm modeled is for Chickasaw County, Iowa. Results show significant opportunities for coordinating agricultural commodity and environmental policies. Corn rootworm insecticide use can be reduced with only modest effects